Ask A Fundamentalist

 Recently I had the opportunity to open myself up to strangers. I volunteered for an "Ask Me Anything" in which people were permitted to ask me any questions about our lifestyle and beliefs and I answered. There were actually a lot of good questions (and a few ridiculous questions...haha) so this will have to be part one.


Will you ever do something to prevent babies? Or do you mean you really don't believe in birth control ever? Not even a vasectomy?

We don't intend to. We believe that the Lord controls the womb, and we trust Him to do that for us. Some day I will go through menopause and I believe that is God's typical way of saying that my body is done carrying babies. I want to put total trust in God and for me, this is what it looks like.

If down the road, something terrible happens, we would probably evaluate the situation like anyone would, so I can't speak to what we would do. I did just have a traumatic delivery and am struggling, but still trusting the Lord to plan our family.

 What is your exact reason for homeschooling?

 At first, we chose to homeschool because of the school system in the town we live in. It is definitely lacking. After the first year of homeschooling I realized that I can teach my children a lot more in the same amount of time at this age. I also don't like that I am not in control of what they are being told. I have no way of knowing what others are telling them, honestly. At the same time, I want to spend all the time I can with my kids. I feel like that is more important to be able to cherish this time with them rather than send them away for 8 hours a day.

 So...do you not plan on exposing them to different cultures, beliefs? How do you think that will work for them when they are older and are confronted with the hard truth that not everyone believes the same? What happens if they decide to not share your faith?

 I've had many discussions with them already about differing beliefs and cultures. We live in a Tlingit village where they believe in the Raven deity. We have participated in the Koo'eex and many other programs that we obviously don't believe in. My daughter's best friend is from a Wiccan family.
Bottom line, they get exposed to a lot of differing beliefs and cultures without going to public school, because I do believe it's important to be exposed to those things in preparation for "the real world."

What do you do in the way of field trips?

We had a homeschool co-op going last year but it kind of flaked out this year. Since we are on a tiny island, they wouldn't get field trips even if they were in public school really. The only field trip they do is the tide pools one (they walk on the beach for two hours and look under rocks..my kids and I go along every year anyways) and one where they drive out the road to the place people make bonfires and go fishing.
We practically live outdoors during the summer. We are constantly looking for bears, going fishing, raising chickens, harvesting berries... we do a lot. It is extremely educational just to live here! When we do move to a more normal place I will utilize every available homeschool resource I can. I can't wait to be able to expose my kids to more and more educational facilities!

 Have you ever thought by suffocating your kids with your religion, instead of letting them chose for themselves might blow up in your face one day?

 I don't think that teaching your children your own beliefs and instilling in them that Jesus loves them no matter what they do is "smothering." I don't want someone else teaching them. I want to do it myself. That's what I signed up for!

Do you follow everything in the bible? Even the stuff that contradicts the other stuff?

 I haven't found things to be contradictory. The things that many people claim are contradictory are usually misinterpreted or taken out of context.

Not really about child rearing but regarding the Bible, do you take it in literal terms i.e., the world was created in seven 24 hour periods?

 Honestly, I don't know much about those things. I've heard Christians argue amongst themselves about whether the world was created in millions of years or if it was created just a few thousand years ago. I don't really see what the difference is. My focus is that Jesus is love and that's the message of the Gospel to found your faith on.
I do believe many parts of the bible are metaphorical, and I'm open to thinking that the 7 days in genesis (and many other parts) might be metaphorical as well.

 Does that mean you do follow a lot of the Bible literally? That would mean, among many other things, no bacon (Deuteronomy 14:!



I've looked into this a lot and prayed about it a lot. Honestly, the things they were told to do in Exodus and Leviticus were guidelines very specifically for that group of people. There are many christians in my circle though that are Torrah-observant and follow all those guidelines. I don't believe those rules were made for us and if I ever feel convicted about them, I would definitely try to follow them. I hope that never happens. I have an unhealthy love for bacon.

 Are you and your husband considered equals ? 

 Absolutely. He doesn't walk around all day lording over me and acting like he is my boss or anything. Mostly , I fall back on him for major decision making for the family and he wants my input as well. I actually make MOST of the major decisions regarding our babies (vaccinating, when to start solids, things like that) because he trusts that I have looked into it more than him.
As my kids like to say, daddy is the big boss and mommy is the little boss. But we are a partnership - and we are both bosses.

 Are you allowed to have your own money?  Or do you have to ask before buying personal items? (I found this question particularly hilarious.... I didn't realize I came across online as such a weirdo)

 Allowed? I haven't really asked. I do defer to my husband for *most* purchases that aren't household or groceries just because following our money really stresses me out. So I don't check the bank account or pay attention to what we have. I'm just not good with money. Usually if I need, say, new clothes; I'll usually ask my husband if we can afford it or not. Likewise, he asks for the okay from me before making large purchases (except the Playstation 4. He mostly just TOLD me he was buying it. haha).

 Are you planning to end up like the Duggars?

 I wish. Honestly. I love having a large family. It's ridiculously difficult some days but just as rewarding as any woman feels with just one child.
I don't think that's really in the cards for us though. Im 27 and only have 5 children right now. I usually don't get pregnant until about a year or so postpartum. So I don't think we will end up with 19 children.

I have a couple questions.  Do you follow the discipline practices of the Pearls?  If so, how do you feel when you see all the stories on the news regarding this form of cruel discipline?
Will you allow you kids to go to a secular college?  Or will you insist that they attend a non-accredited bible college or take home college courses?

Lastly, were you raised in this type of religion, or was a choice you and husband made?

I have read the Pearl's book "To Train up a child." I enjoyed some of it, but a lot of their principles don't apply in our household. I have to argue with a lot of the controversy though - some of the things I see referenced about the book are things I never even read in it or that were taken severely out of context.
I have no opinion about my kids' college education. I don't believe that everyone should go to college anyways. It's just not really necessary (dependent upon what career choice you have made). I didn't even finish high school. I knew at 14 years old that I wanted to be a writer and that furthering my education would not contribute to that in reality (cue the attacks on me about how stupid and uneducated I must be. It's okay - I can handle it). I do hope that by the time they are the age where they will be choosing to go to college or not they will be spiritually mature enough to make good decisions about what behavior will be taking place there and have the strength to not get involved in any poor behavior with other students. 

There are tons more questions that I will post at some point, but I think this post is long enough for now!